VDS focused on Saints

AN FA Cup tie at St Mary's may not represent a major milestone in Manchester United's season - but Edwin van der Sar has promised Southampton's thirst for a shock ensures the visitors will be fully focused. With United having already reached the Carling Cup semi-finals and about to embark on an arduous period of Premier League fixtures before the European campaign erupts again next month, the FA Cup has slipped down Sir Alex Ferguson's list of priorities.

AN FA Cup tie at St Mary's may not represent a major milestone in Manchester United's season - but Edwin van der Sar has promised Southampton's thirst for a shock ensures the visitors will be fully focused.

With United having already reached the Carling Cup semi-finals and about to embark on an arduous period of Premier League fixtures before the European campaign erupts again next month, the FA Cup has slipped down Sir Alex Ferguson's list of priorities.

Even Van der Sar admits he would take defeat on the south coast if it meant United could be guaranteed to successfully defend their major prizes this spring.

But the veteran Dutchman insists motivation will not be an issue against the Championship strugglers - Southampton's attitude will see to that.

"Maybe it is not our most important game but it will have been the only thing Southampton have talked about for the last two or three weeks," said Van der Sar.

"This game could have been sold out two or three times.

"Southampton are not doing that well in the Championship so this represents a good chance for them to show themselves."

An FA Cup winner's medal is the only thing Van der Sar has not collected during his three years at Old Trafford.

Although Ferguson will always wonder what would have been if he had been successful in his original pursuit of the former Ajax man in 1999, for Van der Sar, his stay in the north-west represents a perfect Indian summer.

Extension

The former Holland skipper has just agreed a one-year extension although, as he will be 39 by the time it expires, he feels that will be the time to end his illustrious career.

"I have signed for another year and I am happy with that," he said.

"Hopefully I can maintain the same level as last year but 18 months is a long time and I don't think it will go on for much longer than that."

The nearest United have come in England's oldest domestic cup competition during Van der Sar's time was a final defeat to Chelsea in 2007.

It is part of a run that has seen the Old Trafford outfit lose to the eventual winners each season since the last of their 10 triumphs, against Millwall at the Millennium Stadium in 2004.

Portsmouth's controversial victory over United last March still rankles with Ferguson and Van der Sar shares the sentiment.

"That defeat still hurts," he said.

"It would be nice to make amends, get back to Wembley and win it.

"That is one of the aims for the season. But if the same scenario as last year came about, I wouldn't mind that either."

Ferguson has pledged to use his entire 23-man squad over the next month, with plenty of changes envisaged for Wednesday's trip to Derby.

As the United boss has already pledged to stick with the players he has tended to use in Carling Cup combat for the Pride Park encounter, Southampton are set to face a near-full-strength side.

The only exceptions are set to be Rio Ferdinand due to a back injury, Patrice Evra through suspension and Carlos Tevez, who is not due back from a family visit to Argentina until Sunday evening.